Browse Items (4104 total)

Developed by the Barrmill Conservation Group with garden walks and features of interest including a 19th century cholera pit the Deid Man's Plantin', traditional quoits pitch, history of Barrmill exhibition and an art project to celebrate 30 years of…

This walk with Gordon Brown and Richard Devine will visit the Newton Burial Ground and cover the history of Newton on Ayr which was a separate Burgh, with stories behind the people and families that are buried there. Meet at the car park at junction…

Classic Border tower restored in 1990s by Lord and Lady Steel of Aikwood and now their family home. Recipient of local and international architectural awards.�

Category B listed.Originally built as the church hall for the adjacent St Peter's Church. Notable for fine stone detailing including lower floor arched openings and complex roof. Forms a group with the church and former school building to the east.…

The Paton Street Drill hall was built in the late 19th century as the offices for Mid Mill (where Tesco now stands). In 1908 is was taken over by the new Territorial Force when a gym and firing range were added. It was used by Lothian & Borders…

Originally belonging to the Bishops of Glasgow this delightful and intimate building most likely sits on the site of its medieval predecessor. The L shaped plan contains oak panelling from the demolished Minto Church and memorials to the Cochran and…

The ruins of the Auld Kirk are those of the 5th (or maybe 6th) church to stand on this site since the earliest recorded church here in 1152 AD.Many of the early Kings of Scots came to hunt in Selkirk Forest and their parliaments were held 'apud…

Originally built as the Scottish College of Textiles as the successor to the former Scottish Woollens Technical College. The buildings was extensively extended and modernised in c2008 to form the combined Borders College / Heriot-Watt University…

We're here to help people with their family history primarily in the Border counties (Berwickshire, Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire) of Scotland, as well as in adjacent counties of England and Scotland; though if you need help with other…

The fabulous A Listed Bowhill House, historic home of the Duke of Buccleuch.

Recently completed new infill building reinstating the earlier street line to Horesmarket and Woodmarket. The ground floor provides new public toilets and bus shelters with five new offices on the upper floors. The building is deliberately…

The Castle Jail was built on the site of a royal castle. The castle has been completely demolished and the new jail was built in 1820 and is the only surviving example of a prison modelled on the principles of the prison reformer John Howard.The jail…

Category A Listed.�2 and 3 story complex of civic institution with large frontage to High Street and quadrangle with hall to rear, incorporating fragments of late 16th/early 17th century fabric.�Originally the gift of William Chambers and later…

Starting in Anstruther, the Coastal Rowing Project has seen the construction of 22 foot skiffs to a common design in an increasing number of coastal communities. The old Coble House on the Quay is the HQ of the Eyemouth Project. Image: Coble House

Venue is a modern industrial unit where you can view the chefs making chocolate and patisserie products.In the town centre you can visit the caf� and purchase their products and have coffee etc.The Shop and caf� in the Town Centre is in Bridge House…

Coldingham Village Hall dates from the end of the nineteenth century, and is described as being a �well-detailed public hall�. It has recently been extensively upgraded and refurbished to give it a new lease of life at the heart of the village.�

The Church is located at the east end of Bourtree Place. Constructed in 1894, at a cost of �3200, it is an imposing figure upon the streetscape. Internally the building has a high barrel vaulted timber roof with a gallery around the three sides…

'The Black Tower of Drumlanrig' can be traced from its earliest years as a 16 C fortified Tower House and stronghold of Douglas power. In 19C the Tower served as Hawick's main commercial inn and latterly as the Tower Hotel, (closed in the 1980s).…

The Eastgate Theatre embodies a rather unexpected union of Victorian church architecture with Richard Murphy�s glass and steel modernism.�This B-listed Church of Scotland building has been transformed into an eye-catching community-owned…

Category A listed, James Nisbet, 1761. Built as a mansion house in a superb Tweedside location for James Dickson of Kelso, who made his fortune in the West Indies. The house has operated as a hotel since the 1930s, with various additions and…

Hawick is well renowned for its manufacture of knitwear. Hidden behind the facade of the High Street, this family-run business, represents one of the few remaining small manufacturers of knitwear to survive within the town. A demonstration of the…

This A listed former spinning and weaving mill was once regarded as the 'largest and finest' mill in the Scottish Borders and has been a landmark building in Selkirk since 1835.Renovated by Scottish Enterprise in 2002 this beautiful building has been…

As part of Doors Open Day, journey through Selkirk's fascinating milling heritage with Scottish Borders Council's ranger Erica Niven.�

For Doors Open Day, join us for a Poetic Odyssey with leading Borders poet Julian Colton.�

A court case presided over by Sir Walter Scott involving a robbery and a secret liaison. It appears to be an open and shut case but as the facts emerge, we see the finger of guilt begin to point elsewhere. For Doors Open Day, the case is performed by…

To coincide with the Selkirk Vintage Car Rally at Sunderland Hall on Sunday 18th September 2016 a selection of classic cars were displayed in the town centre to compliment the Doors Open Day activities. There was also a classic car procession passing…

B-Listed building.This is one of the earliest surviving purpose built Masonic Lodges in Scotland with records dating back to its foundation in 1757. It is a late 18th century building which has been refaced; the lodge entrance is in Mason�s Wynd set…

Built in 1811 as Eyemouth Parish Church, the handsome stone tower makes a decorative addition to the Eyemouth skyline. The church was extended in 1902 and sensitively converted into a museum in 1980. It is an independent museum, run by local people,…

Purpose built single storey lifeboat station, providing crew accommodation and support facilities.There has been a lifeboat stationed at Eyemouth for nearly 130 years. The all weather Trent class lifeboat, Barclaycard Crusader, is permanently berthed…

The Fishmarket, Harbour Trust Offices and Ice Plant was built in 1999 as part of the new works which extended the original harbour. Eyemouth Harbour Trust was created in 1797 and has been responsible for the management of the Harbour since that time.

Ferniehirst Castle dates back to 1460 with the bulk of the building dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. It is the ancestral home of the Kerr Family.The castle was used for a number of years as a youth hostel but was extensively restored by the…

On the banks of the Blackadder River is Fogo Church built in 1755. It was subsequently repaired in 1817 enlarged in 1853. It has an interesting burial aisle and an attractive pulpit. The adjacent river is spanned by the single arched Fogo Bridge,…

A listed stone mill building now run by the Elliot family producing high quality tweeds and tartan on shuttle operated looms using traditional skills. This working museum has been producing fine fabrics since 1838.Also includes a factory shop.

The church was built as Kelso United Presbyterian Church, replacing an earlier church on the same site. Tall gothic church which ceased to be used for worship more than 30 years ago and had been used for industrial use. The property is included on…

A tour intended to compliment the “Lost Buildings Tour” concentrating on little known buildings and their details in Peebles – ranging from a former cinema to the new primary school. Mark Douglas, Principal Officer (Built Heritage…

A Freemasons' Lodge has existed on this site since 1791. Originally a one-storey building, an upper storey was added in 1861, costing �160.00. The lodge room was relocated upstairs and a shop formed on the ground floor. In 1963 the shop was converted…

Listed category A. The stand completed in 1965 is an outstanding building designed by Peter Womersley with Ove Arup providing the engineering support in a late modernist style using shuttered concrete for the delicate cantilever canopy. The building…

Gala Mill is the most intact of the surviving mill complexes in Galashiels. The original mill was water powered but subsequently was converted to steam power; the mill chimney surviving as one of the few left in the town.Since 1958 Schofield Dyers…

Galashiels Bowling Club is a well-detailed example of its type with Tudor and Arts and Crafts influences. The two storey design is unusual. Located in a prominent position on Scott Street, its importance is emphasised by being set back from the…

Category B listed.Landmark building including the clock tower and war memorial which were added to the building by Sir Robert Lorimer after WW1.The burgh chambers remains in use with a good later Arts and Crafts decorative scheme including painted…

A free standing brick fire station with separate hose tower. The relatively modern station is one of two fire stations in the Scottish Borders with full time firefighters on duty. The original fire station was established with the help of the mill…

Guided walking tour around central Galashiels.Meet at 2 pm at the new Transport Interchange

Originally built as a Free Library by public subscription, the building has a fine classical facade with good stone detailing. It forms part of a group of significant buildings around Old Cornmill Square. The interior retains its corbelled panelled…

Originally built as a spinning mill replacing earlier houses on the site. The Royal British Legion, Galashiels Branch, dates back to 1926 and acquired its current premises in 1961 which were converted from the former mill premises.

The new Galashiels Transport Interchange was commissioned by Scottish Borders Council to provide facilities for bus and rail passengers when the Waverley Line reopens. The building will provides staff accommodation as well as office space at the…

A hollow stone walled observation tower with a vertiginous spiral staircase in one corner rising from a medieval Motte & Bailey. A timber lined room at the top of the tower leads on to an observation balcony.

Greenknowe Tower dates from 1581 and despite being ruinous, it is particularly impressive. The tower stands on a grassy knoll and was originally protected by the marshy land surrounding it. Good views can be had from the top in good weather,� open…

The Parish Church was lengthened in 1712 to join the originally separate tower of 1696, and north aisle, 1855. Built of weathered red sandstone it has a square tower and steeply pitched crowstep gabled roof over the body of the Kirk. It also boasts a…

John Cunningham built Greenlaw Town Hall or County Hall (as it is often referred to) in 1829: "A chaste yet elegant Grecian edifice...highly ornamental to the town, and whose position is less liable to satirical remark". This Greek Revival hall was…

A guided walk around part of the Jedburgh Town Trail

Follow in the footsteps of saints and kings and learn about the archaeology around these coastal settlements on this 7mile / 11km walk. The route will take in Coldingham Priory, Coldingham Sands, St Abbs harbour and Kirk Hill on St Abb�s Head. Total…

Whilst the foundation of Coldingham Priory dates back to the 12th century, the current building was reconstructed in 1661 and altered in Victorian times. The remains of the priory have been consolidated and new interpretation added as part of a…

Walk through Eyemouth along parts of the revised Town Trail, along the Bantry towards Eyemouth Fort, then back through the town centre and the harbour to end up at Gunsgreen House at about 15.30.Meet at Eyemouth Museum at 14.00.�

Built in the 1750s for infamous local smuggler John Nisbet and designed by John Adam, Gunsgreen House is a fine category A listed Georgian building dominating the harbour.Newly restored by the Gunsgreen House Trust, the �House of Secrets� tells the…

Kingsland School. The school was designed for 600 pupils and cost �12,000 to build.�It was opened in 1901. In 1973 it was used as a model for the refurbishment of old primary schools for contemporary use; the cost was �90,000.The school now has a…

Listed Category B, a large garden with flower borders as well as fruit and vegetables. The garden has also wonderful views of the Abbey and the Eildon Hills.

The site was gifted to the Baptist congregation during the late 19C. Following this the chapel was erected in 1882 to the plans of David Crombie, an Edinburgh architect, at a total cost of �1350. Ten years later saw the church expand when vacant…

The Hawick Film and Video Group is a small independent organisation formed in 1964. The group has regular showings between September and April, and during Doors Open Day will be showing several short films significant to the locality.

Facing on to Buccleuch Street stands Hawick High School, the largest secondary education school in the borders. A considerable area is covered by the school buildings which have multiplied over the years since its foundation in 1860 to replace the…

The mill was built for Adam Cochrane and Brothers. It is the best surviving example of a high mill in Galashiels and formed part of the extensive Netherdale Mill. The mill closed in 1932 and is now, appropriately, used by Heriot-Watt University for…

Listed Category B, High Cross Church was built originally for the United Free Church of Scotland and used continuously until 1954 when the congregation joined Melrose Parish Church. The congregation wished it to continue as a place of worship and…

Listed Category B, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church was designed by the well-known Benjamin Ferrey, while Hay and Henderson designed the much decorated chancel and transepts in 1899.� In 1900, the transept stained glass window by Kempe was inserted.…

Hume Castle dates from the 13C as a frontier defence. It was captured in 1574, 1549, 1569 and lastly demolished in 1651 by Cromwell's artillery under Colonel Fenwick, despite the Governor's defiant statement: "I, Willie Wastle, stand firm in my…

Jedburgh Community and Arts Centre�is housed in St. John�s Old School, a listed building designed by the Victorian architect�William Butterfield, designer of Keble College, Oxford, and other famous buildings.The premises are managed by a volunteer…

Purpose built fire station consisting of 2 floors and a single bay garage. Ground floor consists of office area, storage, garage/engine room, kit area, toilet and shower facilities. The first floor has a lecture room and small kitchen.This isan…

2 storey classical court house with 2 courtrooms and ancillary offices. The building was originally the headquarters of the old Roxburghshire Council. Rhind extended the building as part of his brief as architect to Scotland’s Sheriff Courts in…

Not listed. Modern brick built two appliance fire station and open hose tower. Notable for the curved glazing on the front of the appliance house and the ancillary building. The building replaced the earlier Fire Station in Bowmont Street � now…

Designed by Reid and Forbes who specialised in designing Modern Movement schools with distinctive South American detailing, including the former Leith Academy, Niddrie Marischal School, Inverness Academy and Chirnside Primary School.�

Originally built as St John�s Free Church, the church spire soars above Kelso providing a significant townscape feature. The main body of the church was designed as a preaching space with the raking pews facing the pulpit. The stonework detailing is…

Unusual octagonal two story church with a central lantern. Not long after it was completed, the church was described, somewhat unfairly, as �a misshapen pile, having the peculiarity of being, without exception, the ugliest and least suitable in…

Bold, well detailed Scottish Renaissance building with tall mullioned and transomed windows to Bowmont Street. The carved stone panel over the front door with the inscription �Let there be light� marks the library as being in part funded by Andrew…

Whilst John Carr of York, who also designed the grandstands at York and Doncaster, provided designs for the grandstand in 1778 the plans were not executed until 1822 when the racecourse was relocated from Caverton. The A Listed grandstand…

The home of Kelso Rugby Football Club and a host of former Scottish rugby internationalists will open its doors to the grandstand club rooms and changing rooms for Doors Open Day.�

Kelso Town Hall provides the focal point in The Square as the civic building. It replaced an earlier tollbooth on the same site and originally had an open arcade on the ground floor.The building was extensively altered in 1906 when the ground floor…

Guided Walking Tour

The building commands a fine position at the west end of Peebles with magnificent views. The school benefits from a modern design with good natural light and spacious classrooms and corridors.�The school and its architects were awarded the �Edinburgh…

The swimming pool was gifted to the town in 1923 by Provost James Laidlaw.�It was extended to provide a 25 metre pool in 1974, and a fitness suite was added in 1990. In 2005, threatened with closure, it was taken over by a trust on behalf of the…

LOST BUILDINGS TOUR - Many people may be familiar with names in the Burgh of Peebles like "East Wark", "Cunzie Neuk", "Chapel to the Virgin Mary" and "Kirsty Cranston's Dame School", but how many are aware of the impressive buildings, now lost which…

The Lucy Sanderson Cottages Homes were built as sheltered housing in a traditional Scots style using local stone. The houses were intended for retired mill-workers and were named after the wife of the mill owner James Sanderson. The hall, with tower…

Originally built as Ladhope Free Church then used as an Arts Centre by the council before being reborn by the MacArts Trust as a performing venue for the central borders. The building lost its spire in the 1980s and is noticeable for the use of the…

Thomas Gibson built Marchmont House in 1750-54 although it is attributed to William Adam. It has been altered in the past by a number of influential architects such as William Burn (1834) and Sir Robert Lorimer (1913- 20) who removed the external…

The 16th century tower house is set in a pear-tree garden in the heart of Jedburgh. According to local tradition, the house is where Mary Queen of Scots stayed in Jedburgh in 1566. The building, which is now a visitor centre contains paintings,…

This simple building designed by the same architect as the town's more ornate Victoria Halls, houses club room, kitchen and ancillary accommodation on the ground floor and the main meeting room on the first floor.�

The Melrose Fire Station is a retained fire station and was officially opened on 17 September 1981, by the then Chairman of the Public Services Fire Brigade Committee (Greater London City Council). It cost �140,000 to build and replaced the former…

The Church was originally designed by John Smith of Darnick however, only the tower remains of the original structure following a fire in 1908.� The tower which bears the date MDCCCX, is incorporated into the present church which was dedicated in…

The main school was opened in October 1990 and is of open plan design. An extension that consists of two classrooms and a nursery unit was then opened in 2001. The school is well equipped with a range of resources suited to teaching and learning in…

Original stand erected in 1924-25. The unique Press Box was added in 1930. The two side wings were built and the interior refurbished in the 1960s. A second storey was added in 1983. The interior includes the famous Ned Haig (founder of the rugby…

The New Palace Theatre was named in honour of the first theatre pipe organ to be transplanted into the building, that instrument being the remains of the Hilsdon unit organ from the Palace Picture House, Princes Street, Edinburgh. The New Palace…

Old Gala House is a composite building which has been added to and altered over a period of more than 400 years. The house has been a museum site since 1988.�As well as the permanent collection, there are three main spaces which cater for a changing…

The house dates from the 16th century and forms a fine example of a laird's house with extensions and rebuilding over the centuries. Originally owned by the Pringles, it was owned by the Scotts of Gala from 1632 until they moved out to New Gala House…

The church is a good example of a later 19th century gothic church with fine stone detailing to both the exterior and interior with a prominent landmark spire. There is a good stained glass and internal fittings and fixtures. The church became the…

A large Gothic revival basilican plan church on a prominent site. The presbytery is linked to the church by a small corridor. The church has a good later 19th century decoratively painted interior and good stained glass including a memorial window…

A simple and understated church building set back from the road but with a fabulous stained glass roundel above the altar of the Virgin and Child. An art & craft exhibition and stalls will also take place in the Church Hall.

Listed Category B; chancel reconstruction J D Cairns, 1937. Substantial Victorian Gothic church with crowstepped gables and SE tower with crown spire, accessed by wide flight of steps. This is the second building on this site to serve as the parish…

The Police Station was built in 2006 at the rear of the grand building known as �County Buildings� which built in 1935. The station has a reception area with public front counter, offices, cells complex, storerooms and parking for police…

The fully restored water wheel is Philiphaugh is one of the largest working examples of its kind in Scotland.� It was originially�built around 1850�and powered the sawmill here for more than 100 years.� Water was diverted from the river into the mill…

The museum is a plasterer�s casting workshop virtually unchanged since the turn of last century and illustrates the main methods of creating ornamental plasterwork in Scotland.Created by L Grandison & Son who have over 100 years of experience.…

Police Station comprising of Front Counter, General Offices and Cell Area.

Former Co-operative Store and Office, a Category A listed building with steel frame construction and unusually large glass windows, comprising a front building and warehouse building behind, both 3 storeys. Currently occupied by Scott & Foggon,…

A large mansion which now converted into a Youth Hostel. Once owned by the well-known solicitor and archaeologist James Curle. From 1905-10 Curle directed the archaeological dig of the site now known as Trimontium that had lain untouched for about…